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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-01; Traffic and Mobility Commission; Minutes Page 1 of 7 Public Works Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008  760-602-2746 t Virtual Meeting Council Chambers 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, 3 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: 3 p.m. ROLL CALL: Perez, Linke, Penseyres, Fowler and Coelho PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Perez led the Pledge of Allegiance. This meeting was conducted virtually via Zoom due to the stay-at-home order for COVID-19. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the Regular Meeting held Oct. 4, 2021. Motion by Vice-chair Linke, seconded by Commissioner Penseyres to approve the minutes for the Oct. 4, 2021 meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0 PUBLIC COMMENT: The following individual called into the City Council Meeting and voiced their comment for the record: Tom Wellman expressed concerns on left turn on westbound of Palomar Airport Road into Costco driveway traffic backing up and blocking the number one lane. He suggested that staff look into the possibility of extending the left turn lane. CONSENT CALENDAR: This item was pulled for discussion by Commissioner Fowler 1. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 10.40, SECTION 10.40.180(D)(6) TO ALLOW ENFORCEMENT OF THE CITY’S BAN ON OVERNIGHT PARKING OF OVERSIZED VEHICLES DURING A DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY - Support staff’s recommendation that City Council introduce an ordinance amending Chapter 10.40, Section 10.40.180 (D)(6) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code to give the Director of Emergency Services the authority to decide whether to suspend city laws on the overnight parking of oversized vehicles during a declared state of emergency (Staff Contact: Sergeant Scott Merritt and Allegra Frost, Police Department and Attorney Office) Commissioner Fowler inquired if this relates to any of the policies and regulations for dealing with homelessness in Carlsbad. TRAFFIC AND MOBILITY COMMISSION Minutes Page 2 of 7 Public Works Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008  760-602-2746 t Assistant City Attorney Frost answered that these ordinances are not related to the homelessness issue in Carlsbad. Sergeant Meritt, said this is about RV parking in certain areas where RV parking is greatly impacting neighborhoods and businesses. He added that the Homeless Outreach Teams is working with the homeless groups to help them reach their final destination. Motion by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Vice-chair Linke to approve Consent Calendar Item 1, as presented. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0 2. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE RESTRICTING OVERNIGHT PARKING ON ARMADA DRIVE BETWEEN PALOMAR AIRPORT ROAD AND LEGOLAND DRIVE - Support staff’s recommendation to add section 10.40.301 to the Carlsbad Municipal Code to establish no parking zones between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. along both sides of Armada Drive between Palomar Airport Road and Legoland Drive (Staff Contact: Sergeant Scott Merritt and Allegra Frost, Police Department and Attorney Office) Motion by Chair Perez, seconded by Vice-chair Linke to approve Consent Calendar Item 2, as presented. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: 3. POLICE MONTHLY REPORT – (Staff Contact: Sergeant Scott Meritt, Police Department) Sergeant Meritt presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk) 4. NOMINATION OF COMMISSIONERS TO SERVE ON THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE – (Staff Contact: Eric Lardy, Community Development) Staff’s Recommendation: Adopt a resolution nominating two Traffic and Mobility Commissioners to serve on the Growth Management Update Advisory Committee (one commissioner to serve as a primary committee member and one commissioner to serve as an alternate member). Principal Engineer Lardy presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk) Motion by Commissioner Penseyres, seconded by Commissioner Coelho to adopt a resolution nominating Vice-chair Steve Linke to serve as the primary committee member and Commissioner William Fowler as alternate committee member on the Growth Management Plan Update Advisory Committee. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0 Page 3 of 7 Public Works Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008  760-602-2746 t 5. BIKE LANES AND TRAFFIC CALMING ON TAMARACK AVENUE FROM HARWICH DRIVE TO CHATHAM ROAD - (Staff Contact: Miriam Jim and John Kim, Public Works) Staff’s Recommendation: Support staff recommendations to: • Install bike lanes on both sides of the Tamarack Avenue from Harwich Drive to Cheshire Avenue • Install shared lane pavement markings and R4-11 “Bike May Use Full Lane” signage within school zone on Tamarack Avenue from Cheshire Avenue to Chatham Road Senior Engineer Miriam Jim and Associate Engineer Lindy Pham presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). The following individual called into the City Council Meeting and voiced their comment for the record: Jason Zymanski expressed his concerns on the steep downhill with blind turns part of Tamarack Avenue (with 35 miles per hour, or 35 mph signage) from Hope Elementary and supported staff’s recommendations. Commissioner Coelho inquired about painting the bike lane green or adding bollards to physically delineate the bike lane. Senior Engineer Jim answered that the buffer will be white with diagonal dashed lines and the bike lanes will be delineated with white paint only. Commissioner Penseyres mentioned that Assembly Bill 43 will go into effect in January 2022, and it will add more flexibility in setting speed limits. With that said, would staff consider delaying this project until January 2022 and perhaps do another speed limit survey that could possibly decrease the speed limit by 5 mph making it 30 mph instead of 35 mph. City Traffic Engineer Kim answered that the striping and bike lanes changes as proposed will help address safety issues and could contribute to the possible lowering of the posted speed limit by narrowing the vehicle lanes. Staff would need to review the details of speed limit law changes when they are put into effect at the beginning of 2022. City Traffic Engineer Kim asked Commissioner Penseyres if he was aware of any practical guidelines or recommendations for the consideration of climbing lanes that the city could review. Senior Engineer Jim said that the proposed bike lane is in direct response to parents concerned with school-aged bicyclists. Vice-chair Linke feels that it is a difficult situation when elementary age kids merge into the sharrows given the speed limit for the cars (35 mph) and the slope of the street approaching the Page 4 of 7 Public Works Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008  760-602-2746 t area. As a part of a future Safe Routes to School it would be nice if the bicyclist could get a dedicated off-road path to the school to avoid the car area for dropping off and picking up kids. Vice-chair Linke mentioned the written public comments that Judy Frankel submitted regarding speed limit downhill and around curves at Harwich and Tamarack Avenue and if crosswalks could possibly be considered as a response. Transportation Director Frank mentioned that in the Safe Routes to School plans they will work on access points to the schools to get onto campus and ways to get younger riders to school. They will be implementing California NACTO standards for intersection transitions. Regarding speeds on the subject of right turns in general as well as into the school, it is usually driver and bicycle behavior issues, staff need to focus on good driving behavior. City Traffic Engineer Kim said that staff will continue to research the suggestions discussed, including a green paint/striped lane option which was not included in this project at this time. Commissioner Coelho asked if this was the only project that is planned for this area. City Traffic Engineer Kim answered at this time staff do not have any other proposed improvements for this area, but because of the speed concerns a portable speed feedback sign deployment could be considered. Commissioner Coelho asked if staff could track the impact and effect of the bike lanes and bring back the results to the Traffic & Mobility Commission. Transportation Director Frank wanted to share that staff met with the school districts about furthering the Safe Routes to School plans in the Sustainable Mobility Plan adopted in January 2021. Staff will work with the individual schools to address access plans and to receive feedback on safety improvements like the one being discussed today. As the City Traffic Engineer Kim mentioned, this is the first step in road safety improvements, and items like a speed feedback sign could be a possible next step if needed. Chair Perez mentioned the new trail improvements which gives school kids an additional route to school and that a Safe Routes to School project is something we can take advantage of for more improvements. Commissioner Penseyres proposed a possible solution for the concrete drainage area next to the asphalt, a shoulder stripe could be added to move the bicyclist away from the drain by reducing the bike lane and the buffer. Since a lot of the street are dead ends and it is mostly neighborhood traffic in this area, he suggested that the city could send a letter to all constituents in that neighborhood to educate them about the cyclists as they turn right to be extra careful and make sure there are no cyclists. Page 5 of 7 Public Works Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008  760-602-2746 t Transportation Director Frank said that staff will talk to Communications and the Police Department, also working with the PTA is a great way to get a passionate parent to help with education. Transportation Director Frank thought that the drainage areas were adequately visible to bicyclists and that painting a stripe would be unnecessary but agreed to look at it further. Vice-chair Linke and Chair Perez on behalf of the commission appreciate the public comments and the community’s contribution to traffic safety projects. Chair Perez inquired about bicyclist concerns that would be included in a Safe Routes to School Plan. Transportation Director Frank agreed that staff can improve the striping of the crosswalks when it is associated with a stop sign otherwise it gives the pedestrians a false sense of security. Chair Perez want to share that Sergeant Meritt and his team have done a fantastic job by creating a presence and offering education. Motion by Vice-chair Linke, seconded by Chair Perez to support staff’s recommendation to: • Install bike lanes on both sides of the Tamarack Avenue from Harwich Drive to Cheshire Avenue • Install shared lane pavement markings and R4-11 “Bike May Use Full Lane” signage within school zone on Tamarack Avenue from Cheshire Avenue to Chatham Road Motion carried, 4/0/1 (Abstained: Commissioner Penseyres) 6. CITY ENGINEERING STANDARDS UPDATE - (Staff Contact: Tom Frank, Public Works) Staff’s Recommendation: Receive a presentation and provide input Transportation Director Tom Frank presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk) Commissioner Penseyres thanked staff for making significant changes to the City Engineering Standards and for seeking feedback prior to taking it to City Council for approval. Vice-chair Linke agreed with the progress and inquired about the types of projects that the updated City Engineering Standards will apply to and if this is going to apply only to new projects. Transportation Director Frank said that the City Engineering Standards will be used for any new plans that are developed for infrastructure improvements like private development or a city Capital Improvement Project. There is a difference between the City Engineering Standards and what the city is able to condition on a land development project. Page 6 of 7 Public Works Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008  760-602-2746 t Vice-chair Linke agrees that we should update the City Engineering Standards, but he was wondering how much of an impact this is going to have for existing streets. Transportation Director Frank mentioned that the industry has evolved, and we are now implementing Complete Streets, unfortunately much of Carlsbad street’s infrastructure have been developed to date. The changes on land usage by the state is limiting cities or agencies abilities to condition development projects. Staff will continue to work with developers so that they can pay their fair share of infrastructure improvements. Vice-chair Linke has concerns in regards the authority given to the City Engineer in this document. Transportation Director Frank said that the discretionary level of the City Engineer has not changed. Staff and their recommendations are transparent to the commission and the public, it is also reviewed by qualified professional staff before receiving final approval. The City Engineering Standards apply to unforeseen problems that might arise during construction of private development or our Capital Improvement Projects, there are a lot of other guidelines that engineers may use to design roadways and infrastructure. These projects will continue to be brought to the commission and staff welcomes all comments on projects. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER COMMENTS: City Traffic Engineer Kim wanted to follow up on a past question about the no parking zone and barricades on Manzano Drive. There is an Agenda Bill (Staff Report as we call it now) from a City Council Meeting dated July 11, 1989, that recommended no parking on Manzano Drive, listing some of the reasons as noise, parties, litter and crime that were brought forward by the Terramar Homeowners Association. No City Council item could be found on the barricades but it was proposed at a Traffic and Safety Commission meeting on Dec. 5, 1988 where it was recommended to close the road at Manzano Drive and Carlsbad Boulevard until such a time that Palomar Airport Road is realigned with Carlsbad Boulevard, then reconsider opening the intersection. In January 2022 staff will bring forward an update on the Traffic Signal System. Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager Schmidt shared information about the four Move Carlsbad workshops. TRAFFIC AND MOBILITY COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commissioner Fowler inquired about the roundabout at El Salto Falls Street and Marron Road and an accident that occurred at this location. Traffic Engineer Kim said that when they receive the Collision Report and or additional reports, they will review the stripping and signage on the approved design of the roundabout. Page 7 of 7 Public Works Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008  760-602-2746 t Vice-chair Linke inquired about the timing for the Vehicle Miles Traveled, or VMT analysis guidelines and the Multi Modal Level of Service, or MMLOS point system analysis. Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager Schmidt said that the VMT analysis guidelines report is scheduled for next month. The MMLOS point system analysis team should hold one more Ad-hoc Committee Meeting just to get through some final questions and comments. The MMLOS point system is tentatively scheduled for December as well. Vice-chair Linke recommends that since the City Council did not support shared mobility devices at this time that the developers should not be using that as a mitigation tool. Transportation Director Frank mentioned that the City Council action was not to pursue shared mobility hub-based stations within the right of way, but to further analyze the performance of the City of Encinitas bike share system as it moves forward into the future. The city is still very much interested in exploring shared mobility to address the first and last mile. To follow up on the Carlsbad Connector as discussed in the Move Carlsbad virtual workshops, NCTD did evaluate the pilot program from a different perspective. The city felt the ridership was consistent, and staff did see some pretty dramatic increases throughout the history of the pilot program. Covid-19 was the stopping point of the shuttle as the Coaster ridership and service was also reduced. Going forward, watch for updates on the a rideshare program that NCTD is introducing in partnership with Uber and Lyft at the Poinsettia Station. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Perez adjourned the Traffic & Mobility Commission Meeting on Nov. 1, 2021, at 5:50 p.m. ___________________________ Eliane Paiva, Minutes Clerk